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Slieve Donard is the highest mountain in Northern Ireland and in 9-county Ulster. St. Domhangart (modern form Dónart), a contemporary of St. Patrick, founded a monastery at Maghera north of Newcastle. According to tradition he was appointed by St. Patrick to guard the surrounding countryside from the summit of Slieve Donard. He is supposed not to have died, but to be a 'perpetual guardian' (see MacNeill, 84-96). In pagan times this mountain was known as Sliabh Slainge. Slainge, the son of Partholon, was the first physician in Ireland. According to the Annals of the Four Masters, he died in Anno Mundi 2533 (2533 years after the creation of the world according to Irish mythology) and was buried here in a cairn. On the top of Slieve Donard there are two cairns, one on the very summit and the other, called the 'Lesser Cairn', on the Ordnance Survey maps, some eight hundred feet to the north-east. Both of them have been much disturbed. The Summit Cairn has been tampered with by sappers and water commissioners: the Lesser cairn has small piles of stones about it, but it is difficult to say whether these are ancient structures or just re-arrangements by modern hands. Dr. Estyn Evans, who calls the Summit Cairn 'the oldest mark of man in the Mournes', says that it is a 'corbelled passage grave of the early Bronze Age.' The Lesser Cairn, he points out, is visible from the sandhills of the shore, although the Summit Cairn is not (MacNeill, 85).
Slieve Donard is the highest mountain in the Mourne Mountains area and the 19th highest in Ireland. Slieve Donard is the highest point in county Down.Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/19/?PHPSESSID=pa1j6ack3556satqtcmerluh72

Suggested routes (a) From Donard Park J375306A SW through Donard Wood up the Glen River track, then out across open ground and a steep climb up to the Mourne Wall J350279B. Go left steeply up stone steps to the top. (b) Alternatively once on open ground J364296C go S down across the river and then up by the Black Stairs, a short steep rocky climb, alongside a stream, which soon gives way to a less steep slope of grass/heather. At J365289D swing SW and continue up to steeper rocky ground to the Lesser Cairn J360279E. Walk up and across to the Great Cairn and the top. (c) Start at Bloody Bridge Car Park J389272F. Go S along the road for 150m and turn right on to a track up along the Bloody Bridge River, crossing it at J376268G. Follow the track up to the Mourne Wall J354268H. Turn right and up along the wall to the top. A combination of these routes for ascent and descent makes for a more enjoyable walk. From Donard, other peaks of the High Mournes, the Sperrins (NW) and the Belfast and Antrim Hills (N) can all be seen. Additionally in very clear conditions the Galloway Hills (NE), Isle of Man (E) and the Wicklow Mts (S) all stand out While the accepted high point of Slieve Donard is 850m, a man made high point marked by the trig pillar, sits atop a stone shelter tower at a corner in the Mourne Wall and is credited in the OSNI Mourne Activity 1:25,000 scale map with a height of 853 metres. A living rock spot height is also shown as 849m. Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/19/comment/4779/

Picture from wicklore : My first view of the Mournes from Donard

Picture: My first view of the Mournes from Donard

wicklore on Slieve Donard, 2008

by wicklore 23 Jul 2008

My very first trip to the Mournes was in March’07. Not only was I intending to climb Donard but I really wanted to see the infamous Mourne Wall too. I left Dublin early and eventually found my way to Donard Park carpark in Newcastle at approx J 376 307I.
I followed the track from the carpark up along the Glen River. It was a nice walk which got me warmed up on that very cold day. Following the track brought me to a useful information board at approx J366 297J, which described a curious Ice House situated further along the track across the river. The track then led past this Ice House and into the valley below Donard and Commedagh. Being my first trip to the Mournes I was surprised at how easy this navigation was-far different from staring across featureless bog in deepest Wicklow! Just following this clear track was going to bring me from the carpark right up to the col below Donard!
The stone track brought me to the top of the valley, across a stream and headed up to the col in a series of steps. It had been getting progressively colder and extra layers were needed. Also snow lay on the valley slopes. I discovered that the track up to the col was covered in ice in many places and impossible to walk on. I scrambled up beside it but it was difficult and I needed my wits about me. I had seen the Mourne Wall from below but it disappeared from view as I climbed. I was thrilled when I eventually reached it. To seasoned Mourne walkers the Wall is an everyday thing that is probably invisible to them, but to me it was the Thing of Legend. I admired the breathtaking views from the Wall across the Mournes. A fantastic stile allowed an easy climb over the Wall. I couldn’t name any of the unfamiliar summits. It was too cold to take out the map and snow lay all across the hills.
I then turned left to begin the trek up along the Wall to the summit of Donard. I had never seen such a steep climb, and snow lay in deep drifts to further test my will.
The details of that tortuous and soul-sapping climb would require a book in itself but suffice to say I made it. The accompanying photo shows the majesty of the snow-covered view from Donard that day. I was really getting a baptism of fire!
My plan to retrace my steps was out of the question due to the lethal ice-covered track below the col so I headed South along the Wall to find the route to Bloody Bridge. The snow was 3 feet deep in places on this side and another survival adventure ensued. I followed the Wall to approx J 353 268K and turned left. Eventually I reached the Bloody Bridge and a Bloody Long Walk back to Newcastle and my car. An excellent day and an excellent introduction to the Mournes! Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/19/comment/3244/

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Picture from Harry Goodman : Looking NE across Donard Lesser Cairn

Picture: Looking NE across Donard Lesser Cairn

Harry Goodman on Slieve Donard, 2009

by Harry Goodman 29 Sep 2009

For anyone looking for a different approach to Slieve Donard I would recommend a route starting at the Harbour in Newcastle J381296L which initially follows the waymarked Granite Trail steeply up the line of a former funicular railway known locally as the Bogey Line. After crossing the stile at the top end of the trail the track turns right to cross another stile and then the high point of the Granite Trail. From J371293M climb up around the right side of the quarry near by making sure to stay well away from the edge on your left hand side. Gradually work your way round by heading SW and then SE across a sream and up to the top of Millstone Mountain at J373285N. Walk SW across a boggy coll before starting to climb up the eastern slopes of Slieve Donard. Initially the terrain is soft and peat covered but soon changes to rockey ground leading up to the Lesser Cairn at J3595027900O. From here it is a short gentle walk up to the the highest point in Ulster. Descend W with a touch of N along the Mourne Wall to pick up a paved stoney track down to the coll J2495027950P and then NE down the Glen River Track ( the most frequently used route up and down the mountain ). On the way down the restored Ice House on the other bank of the river is worth a look at approximately J364295Q. Continue to follow the river track down to Donard Bridge J372302R. Do not go across but rather turn right and follow the forest track out to the public road and then left to the main Newcastle to Kilkeel road. Turn right and walk along to the Harbour car park. Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/19/comment/4157/

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Great views

by peadarmc 10 Aug 2015

climbed slieve donard for the third time today but first time with my two sons aged 13 and 15. Started at the boody bridge and descended to Donard Park. Just a £4 taxi ride to get back to the bloody bridge car park. Stunning views and good weather. Amazed to meet so many people carelessly dressed in just t shirt and shorts (fine for weather at sea level). My sons delighted in being the highes people in Ulster. It took us just over 5 hours but fish and chips never tasted so good when we got down. There is now a bus service which does a lap around the perimeter of the Mournes which makes good linear walks possible with just one car. You can find details on translink northern ireland website, just look for time of Mourne Rambler. Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/19/comment/18236/

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Bleck Cra on Slieve Donard, 2004

by Bleck Cra 18 Oct 2004

People climb Bearnagh, walk Commedagh and "do" Donard - y'know, the way you "do" Shakespeare or Yeats. Although the views into Dundrum Bay on hot summer days are singularly sweet, she is simply not the most exciting (if tallest) of the Mourne tops.
So how do you "do" Donard and make it interesting. Simple - come off her. Exit South through the back door towards the brown bog of the same name. The descent will give you completely mindblowing vistas over the strange Annalong river to the tops Binnian to Beg. By negotiating the Buttress (you have to go looking for the track made by a one legged sheep, above the Buttress face) you get that strange sensation of almost touching the other side if only the glen weren’t between you and the target.
There’s lots to see and do - as say the brochures - Hare’s Castles, old quarry works, hints of olde worlde humans, a fascinating (well for the moraine hunters) dunno what it is - some kind of glacial oxbow, beautiful flora and fungi, in the summer buzzy bees and perfumed bell heather, ravens swimming the air - the whole heap.
Drop down to the river - if you can tear yourself away, you have the choice of coming back up the main Annalong track West of the water and in the lee of the terrifying Lamagan slabs, and spooky gullies of Cove and Beg.
Or you can follow a wall up to Binnian’s Back Castles and top-hop back to Donard.
To “do” Donard, leave her - and I promise you, she’ll call you back.
(See pic of Binnian en route.) Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/19/comment/1260/

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Picture from jkerr : Tumbling Brook on Glen River

Picture: Tumbling Brook on Glen River

jkerr on Slieve Donard, 2005

by jkerr 4 Oct 2005

Slieve Donard being the highest peak in the Mournes offers some fantastic views in reward for walking to the summit. Gaze south over the Carlingford Mountains and beyond Dundalk Bay towards the Wicklow Mountains shimmering seductively on southern horizon. The Isle of Man and a glimpse of Scotland attract the eye eastward with Belfast City easily visible to the north. Lough Neagh completes the cardinal tour to the west.

The Mourne Peaks and Tors dominate the immediate view from south to north laid out below as a 3 dimensional map, tempting further walking and exploration. Indeed, many a day I’ve spent walking here, choosing routes and peaks almost at random.

From the summit delight in the birds eyes view of the local drumlin countryside. Study the low lying land that melds into Dundrum Bay encircled with what looks like end moraine formations. Trace the tree lined rivers that tumble toward the sea. Are they remnants of once torrential glacial outflows? Try and picture in your minds eye the great glacial ice sheets spilling from the mountain valleys sculpting and moulding the terrain laid out below.

There are many and varied accent / descent routes available to the walker each one presenting it's own unique and pleasing characteristics. The tourist route, starting in Donard car park takes you up the Glen River path were it’s fascinating to examine the transition from Silurian bedrock to the younger granite. Follow the path which will lead you all the way to the Mourne wall. On the way stop and study the varied glacial features. The most notable is the Corrie that’s been carved out from the Northern face of Donard. Look out for this as you drive towards Newcastle from Castlewellan, it’s a most prominent feature toward evening. There’s also the glacial spur of Eagle Rock and the Pot of Pulgarve. I always find it awe inspiring to think of the energy required to gouge these formations from the mountains. Anyway, proceeding up the path stop just above the tree line and look left to the rippled surfaces of Thomas’s Mountain. You can still see the layering folds formed in the molten magma as it cooled after being injected into the long gone Silurian overcoat. When you reach the wall swing left and follow it to make your accent to the summit. There’s a stone path leading up the flank of the summit which follows the wall. It’s a bit dicey in places so watch your step if its wet. Just one other thing. For anyone who has regularly walked in the Mournes have you noticed a thin band of red subsoil that is exposed at the riverbanks. Its really noticeable up the Tracey track, does anyone know what this is. Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/19/comment/1984/